What You Need To Know About Preparing For A Safari Trip

What follows is a short guide to what you need to take into account having decided that you would like to spend your next vacation on safari...

Tour Operators : To find yourself a reputable safari tour operation you need to check out their reputation by Googling their name and looking for reviews and testimonials. Try to find one that has offices in both your home country and in Africa. Be prepared to spend some time shopping around as prices vary substantially. Safaris can be all inclusive or 'pay as you go'. It is often easier, and can be less expensive, to do all inclusive, air, lodging transports, meals etc.

Type Of Accommodation : Both luxury accommodation and back to basics accommodation will be available for you to choose from. You can get some great bargains by opting for the latter. In fact, if you are planning on spending a few nights out in the wild, then you will have no choice but to 'rough it'.

Weather / Climate : Depending on the time of year that you travel, the weather can vary significantly from one part of the country to the next, so read up on forecasted weather conditions before packing your bag. You will need to research beyond just the country level too, as different regions within the same country may well have differing climates. It is a common mistake to just pack shorts, t-shirts and sandals.

Documentation : You might require a visa to visit your chosen country, especially if you plan to stay there for more than a couple of weeks. You can find out all that you need to know by researching online. If in doubt, ask your safari tour operator. If you do need a visa, it is not normally a problems to get one, but the process will take at least a week, so apply a few weeks before departure to be on the safe side.

Immunizations : Unless you have done a lot of travelling to Africa before, you will probably need to visit a travel clinic before your safari to get some immunization shots. You can also ask them whether the water will be safe to drink, if mosquitoes will be a problem, etc. Ask at the clinic is they have any travel first kits, as it is prudent to have one on hand in case of an emergency.